Our poor chickens. They don’t know what’s coming. We’ve arranged to pick up three new birds tomorrow to add to our little home flock, effectively doubling the number of hens in our garden. I suspect we’re going to have a bumpy few days as they settle in and work out who is top chick.
Of course, we’re not getting rid of Gerry, Barbara and Margo just because three newcomers are on the way. After a disappointing winter it looks like they’re starting to show more interest in laying eggs, and pretty much since the start of March we’ve had two eggs a day, every day. They’re still not up to full speed, but it’s an improvement. February was another terrible month, of just 29 eggs – the same as January this year and significantly less than February last year.
February egg count
I think we’re going to have to keep a close eye on all six birds when the new ones arrive as it is pretty much inevitable that there will be some pecking and bullying as they try and establish a new pecking order (that’s where the phrase comes from).
We’re probably going to get three Black Rock, and we’re not going to give them names this time around.
We learned our mistake last time: chickens are poultry, not pets.
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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi Nik,
stumbled on this site while looking for a ginger cookie recipe – love the site. I’m planning on getting some chickens (perhaps 3 or 4) for the first time. I’ve just bought a chicken coup, but haven’t got the chickens yet. Would you say I’m better getting young birds, pullets, rather than older birds. It looks like pullets are harder to get hold of at the minute – not sure if thats because its early in the year or not. Should I hold off a bit longer and wait for pullets?
Hope your new chickens settle ok!
Thanks,
Mark
Hi Mark. I would definitely say you are better off buying younger birds as they have the whole of their laying lives ahead of them. If you buy ex-battery hens you will already have missed the best of their laying years, and will be taking on birds that will eventually stop laying a lot sooner than if you’d bought young ones.
I know it is kind to buy ex-battery, but if you buy pullets and then sell or give eggs to your family, friends and neighbours, you will be stopping them from buying battery eggs, which is better than nothing.
I am surprised that you are having trouble finding pullets for sale at the moment. Have you tried asking at your local feed supplier if they know anywhere that it selling some at the moment? They will supply the breeders, after all. Whatever their answer, though, don’t be tempted to buy random birds from newspaper adverts or a man in a car park – go to a reputable supplier who will sell you hens (not roosters / cockerels) that have been vaccinated against salmonella.